Hopkinton Ashland Transfer Line

Location: Hopkinton, Ashland

Petition of NSTAR Gas/Eversource for Approval to Construct a Transfer Line Replacement Project in the Town of Hopkinton and the Town of Ashland Pursuant to G.L. c. 164, § 69J

  1. Location: Hopkinton, Ashland
  2. Company: NSTAR Gas/Eversource
  3. Agency: EFSB
  4. Docket Numbers: EFSB18-02, Filed 6/11/2018, stalled after Land Court loss, awaiting approval from EFSB 
  5. Description
    1. Replace 3.8 mi of existing gas pipeline with new 12-in pipe, existing pipe 6-in installed in 1950s 
    2. 5 year project, March-November work 
    3. Easement allowed only 1 pipe but NSTAR wanted to leave old one
  6. Links
    1. Eversource Description 
    2. White paper on behalf of Town of Ashland to assess need for Hopkinton-Ashland Transfer Line Replacement Project 
      1. Found Eversource’s claims are not substantiated, did not consider alternatives 
      2. Project unnecessary, contradicts emissions targets and climate laws 
    3. Hopkinton to Ashland Transfer Line Replacement Project Invasive Plant Species Control Plan 
    4. Scenic Roads Permit 
    5. 2018 Petition for Approval of Replacement Line 
    6. MEPA Report determined compliant 
  7. News
    1. No activity on petition since 6/21 
    2. Eversource makes new pitch for Ashland pipeline replacement: easement agreements with all property owners (Nov 2020)
      1. Land Court judge ruled against Eversource’s plan bc only one pipeline can be in the ground at one time
      2. If new plan (to come to agreement over easement rights with 80+ property owners) approved, project will continue without having to remove old pipeline 
    3. Ashland residents decry pipe plan (April 2019) 
    4. Letter to the Editor Opposed to Pipeline (Jun 2019) 
  8. Opposition groups
    1. No Ashland Pipeline